Nationwide Building Society has experienced an enormous rush in demand for its Helping Hand mortgage, following its decision to raise its upper lending limit to six times salary, allowing thousands more first-time buyers to obtain their initial foot on the property ladder.
Between October 2024 and September 2025, Nationwide assisted around 23,000 people into their first homes under the enhanced Helping Hand scheme, a 53% rise from 15,000 in the previous year. The mutual lender also recorded a 102% year-on-year increase in new-build purchases through the product, pointing to how higher loan-to-income (LTI) limits are changing the affordability landscape for first-time purchasers.
What Is Nationwide’s 6x Income Mortgage?
Nationwide’s Helping Hand mortgage was initially launched in 2021 as a way of making homeownership more affordable for first-time buyers in the face of rising property prices. The scheme has been revamped more recently to allow eligible applicants to borrow up to six times their annual income on a five or ten-year fixed-rate home loan with loan-to-value (LTV) ratios of up to 95%.
For comparison, most mainstream UK lenders tend to cap affordability at between 4.5 and 5 times income, meaning Nationwide’s criteria could significantly increase borrowing power for eligible buyers, particularly those with stable employment and clean credit histories.
The change comes amid a period where average first-time buyer deposit and income levels have continued to increase across much of the UK, especially London and the South East.
How Nationwide’s Helping Hand Helps First-Time Buyers
The raised 6x income multiple is designed to help buyers who have the affordability but not necessarily the savings for a large deposit. With house prices still outpacing wage growth across much of the nation, the policy enables first-time buyers to access properties that would otherwise have been just out of their reach.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)’s recent clarification of stress testing requirements and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA)’s relaxation of LTI flow limits earlier in 2025 also played a vital role in allowing lenders like Nationwide to responsibly offer larger income multiples.
To date, Nationwide’s Helping Hand has helped over 63,000 people buy their first home, lending around £13 billion in total. The average age of a Helping Hand applicant is 30 to 31 years, two to three years younger than the market average, according to UK Finance.
Expert Commentary from Oportfolio Mortgages
Oportfolio Mortgages’ Director of Marketing and Communications, Louis Mason, said:
“Nationwide’s 6x income mortgage is a real game-changer for first-time buyers, particularly in high-price areas like London where affordability has been a real problem. Increasing the borrowing limit gives careful lenders the chance to participate in a competitive housing market without needing an astronomical deposit. At Oportfolio, we’ve already seen more interest in higher loan-to-income products like this, and we expect other lenders to follow Nationwide’s lead in the coming months.”
Who Can Qualify for Nationwide’s 6x Income Mortgage?
Nationwide’s Helping Hand is available to first-time buyers acquiring a residential home, subject to one of the applicants being employed on a full-time basis. The applicants must choose a five-year or ten-year fixed-rate mortgage, as the longer term has more rate stability and helps manage affordability risk.
Although the 6x income multiple can unlock greater borrowing, Nationwide continues to carry out rigorous affordability and credit checks to guarantee that borrowers have the ability to continue repayments even in the event of a shift in market conditions.
Influence on the UK Property Market
The 6x income lending framework may have widespread implications for the entire UK housing market, particularly if other big lenders choose to implement the same affordability criteria.
By getting more buyers into more expensive homes, the policy could increase competition for properties, particularly in urban areas. Some commentators have warned that it could also create further upward pressure on house prices if these sorts of products become commonplace.
However, for many would-be homebuyers who have been priced out in recent years, Nationwide’s flexible affordability approach is a refreshing and uncommon trend in the mortgage market.
The Wider Context
Nationwide’s launch comes after a year of reinvigorated innovation in the mortgage market, with lenders reacting to regulatory reform and economic stabilisation in the aftermath of 2023–2024’s rate volatility.
As inflation dissipates and the Bank of England base rate begins to exhibit signs of long-term stability, lenders are tentatively bringing back higher-income and higher-LTV offerings to satisfy pent-up demand, especially from young professionals and first-time buyers.
Mortgage brokers have also seen an increase in enquiries for more flexible products, such as joint borrower sole proprietor (JBSP) arrangements and family-supported mortgages.
How Oportfolio Mortgages Can Help
For people considering Nationwide’s Helping Hand mortgage or other high loan-to-income offerings, the use of an experienced mortgage broker can make all the difference. Here at Oportfolio Mortgages, our advisors have helped hundreds of clients to weigh up the best means of stepping onto the housing ladder, including specialist first-time buyer options.
We work with Nationwide and other major lenders to identify mortgage options that fit your circumstances, whether you’re buying your first home, upgrading to a new property, or refinancing your existing mortgage.
Louis Mason adds:
“While the 6x income mortgage is a step in the right direction, it’s crucial that purchasers talk to advice before making an application. An independent mortgage broker can decide if a product like Nationwide’s Helping Hand is best for their long-term financial goals.”
FAQ: Nationwide’s 6x Income Mortgage
Q: What is a 6x income mortgage?
A: A 6x income mortgage allows borrowers to borrow up to six times their annual income, instead of the more conventional 4.5x, which increases affordability for successful applicants.
Q: Who is eligible to apply for Nationwide’s Helping Hand mortgage?
A: It’s available to first-time purchasers purchasing a residential property on a five- or ten-year fixed mortgage and with up to 95% LTV.
Q: Will the 6x income limit automatically get me a bigger mortgage?
A: Not necessarily. Nationwide still considers affordability, outgoings, and credit history. The higher limit simply increases the maximum possible borrowing figure for those who are eligible.
Q: Can the Helping Hand scheme be used on a new-build property?
A: Yes. Indeed, new-build completions using Helping Hand have risen by over 100% in the past year.
Speak to a Mortgage Adviser
Nationwide’s 6x income mortgage is a big leap towards first-time buyer affordability, offering greater freedom and confidence for borrowers who are responsible in today’s property market. With more lenders looking to revise their lending criteria, 2025 could see a fresh wave of innovation that helps thousands more people achieve their homeownership dreams.
Whether you are considering your first mortgage or must find out about your borrowing capacity, phone Oportfolio Mortgages today, our expert advisers can help you obtain the most suitable deal for your situation.
